W.O.M.E.N. in Iceland

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W.O.M.E.N. - Women Of Multicultural Ethnicity Network in Iceland was looking to update its logo ready for their new website and newsletter.

“The goal of W.O.M.E.N. is to unite, to express and address the interests and issues of women of foreign origin living in Iceland in order to bring about equality for them as women and as foreigners in all areas of society. Our homepage contains information about us, issues we are working on and various projects we are engaged in. We also plan to publish news and announcements about events related to immigrants, women and family issues.” - W.O.M.E.N.

The logo was created in Adobe Illustrator. We reworked the design to create a more minimal, modern vibe. The Icelandic flag is tucked into the frame of a globe with the female symbol incorporated.

The logo will be used across all platforms and will be added to merchandise soon.

 
 

Need a logo for your business, contact us to discuss

My Thoughts On Turning 40

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My Thoughts On Turning 40

I’m sharing my thoughts on turning 40 and opening up about life in my 30s and what I want to achieve in my 40s as a Wife, Mum, and Entrepreneur.

The Big 4-0

Society and the pressures it puts on us - how we're supposed to feel at the age of 40 - I think that's what puts a lot of pressure on people and is why people start getting scared of it or emotional, feeling like they haven't achieved enough in their life.

It's that idea of being ‘over the hill’, although that implies that your life is on a downhill spiral. It also means that your struggle to get up to the point in your life where you've maybe achieved your career, you've got your family, you have achieved the goals you've been working towards, you can start enjoying it and enjoy the fruits of that labor. And by that personally, I mean, my experiences.

Watch the video

My Life So Far

I've worked very hard at university to become an architect. It paid off. I became an architect. I traveled a lot. I managed to do my Masters in Japan, and I have a lot of things that I feel, yes, I worked blooming hard for, but there are amazing things that I've achieved and I achieved them by working really hard for them, and then became an architect, which is a career I still can't believe I even managed to get to. It wasn't however, a career that I necessarily enjoyed when I finally became it, and that's just something that happens in life.

Life Is Short

I learned in my late twenties, thirties, that life is short. And I learned that in a very hard way by losing my dad. I lost a lot of people in my family and in my personal life in my twenties to thirties where it really did teach me that life is short and you have to value and appreciate and be grateful for what you have. And if you want things in life, you got to work for them and that's what I've done.

Appreciate The Opportunities

Fast forward to me being in India teaching architecture, which is what I really love doing and in a crazy place. It just made me appreciate all of the opportunities and the upbringing that I had that gave me that down-to-earth work hard mentality that meant that I could put myself forward and achieve things and face challenges and enjoy the benefits of them.

I don't feel like I'm 40 and I don't feel like I look or act forte as well, because, in my mind, I can remember a surprise birthday for my dad when he turned 40 and I remember being picked up from school by my auntie and going home to either make or decorate the birthday cake to surprise my mum who was coming home from work on her 40th birthday. So to me, I remember my parents being 40, turning 40, and I guess life is very different these days. I mean, I had Mia at the age of 37. When she is 40, I will be 82, which is crazy. And I really hope that I am there to get to go party with her and celebrate it.

We Do Life In A Different Order These Days

I definitely put my career first and I achieved a lot. I have no regrets and having a family was very important to me, but things just came in a different order. And I don't think that that's something that we should stress or worry about.

I was in India, I had a great career, a great life. I was having so much fun, but I was living in a bubble when I really, really thought about it. This was not my real life. It wasn't what I actually wanted. And so at the age of 30 or 32, I took a good, hard look at that and I faced the reality that India was fun, but it wasn't where I wanted to be and I wasn't meeting the kind of person that I wanted to be with and I didn't think that I would necessarily find my Mr. Right there.

Take Control Of Life

I made the hard decision to move back, found a job in the UK and I taught in the university there. And on a strange weekend back in Edinburgh, I happened to bump into Ingimar and we met, and that was our paths crossing and the rest is history.

I did spend a lot of time when I lived in Bournemouth worrying that it was too late and I was 34 or something at the time. I was working very hard. I was traveling back and forth to India and doing lots of different trips to the British Council as well. I was living a very, very busy life and I probably was making it busy so that I felt fulfilled, but it wasn't the chapter in my life, the area in my life that I wanted that fulfillment. And I knew I wanted to meet someone and I wasn't really putting myself out there. And when I met Ingimar, it wasn't down to me, it wasn't down to him. I really do think it was someone else who got our paths to meet. And they did.

Long-Distance Love

We worked hard to stay in contact with each other. It was a year or more before I moved over here of long-distance dating. At that time, I was so worried that I'd left it too late to meet someone. I was too old to meet someone and for them to want to be with me. I did worry that meeting in our mid to late thirties, there would be baggage. Of course, there's going to be baggage, but I did worry what that baggage might be. It's very different than meeting someone in your twenties. And I also worried that maybe I wouldn't be able to have kids and I'd left it too late and maybe the person that I met wouldn't want kids or would already have kids. And although that would be fine and I would accept it, I did really want to have children of my own.

Kids…Menopause?

I was also in a very crazy stressed-out position where I hadn't actually had a period for numerous months and a part of my brain was telling myself that I was getting too old. And so maybe every month when my period didn't come or came late, I was worried that that was it, and I was starting menopause mid-thirties, which thank goodness it wasn't and it was just stress and I needed to look after myself and get my priorities back in line. And I did.

Getting It All

When I met Ingimar, I really focused on, "Okay, you've done your career, but if you want to settle down and make this work with this Icelandic guy, then let's do that." And so that's what I did. Fast forward a year or so, we got engaged. I moved to Iceland, planned our wedding, and then we fell pregnant. So actually, I have to say, I got it all and I'm so incredibly grateful for that.

Happily Ever After

We now have this amazing little family and a great life here. And it's so different from what I was doing 10 years ago. I'm totally fine with that, and I think that's what happens when you turn 40.

Everyone says you get this perspective, you calm down, things don't worry you as much, which I'm going to be enjoying that. But I do think that I've gained a bit more perspective and inner peace, and I'm very grateful for what I've achieved in my life and what I built in my life, what we've done together.

In The Past 10 Years

I have changed careers, I had moved to three countries and I'm very happy to say that now I live a positive and very creative life. I know where I want to be, and I know what I want to achieve and I'm just working towards those goals.

Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff

A lot of people tell me that in my forties, I'm not going to sweat the small stuff, worry about the small things, and I'm not going to care so much about what people think of me. Now, this is something I'm really looking forward to because I worry way too much about people's opinions, what people think of me, what people think about what I do if they think that I'm earning enough money and contributing enough. I worry about so many things and it's such a waste of my time and my energy and it creates negativity. I want to care about Mia and about Ingimar and about my family and friends, obviously, I want to care about myself, but I want to focus on the right things and use my energy for the right stuff.

Birthdays In COVID Times

We're very lucky here in Iceland, The pools are open so I managed to go for a swim on my birthday, which was an absolute treat. Ingimar and Mia were both out at school and work and so I had the day to myself to pamper myself, do some reading, do some journaling, call some friends.

I wrote a pop quiz, a kind of Zoom quiz for the evening time. We had dinner together, just the three of us and then we popped on a Zoom call with my family and we did a little quiz, which was just fun questions. There was a picture round, kind of a facts round, travel round, an architecture round, and so on. I can't remember who won, but it was definitely good fun. And then I sat on the sofa with a slice of cake that I bought for myself because I knew if you want a piece of cake on your birthday and everyone's too busy, you got to look after yourself and just get that piece of cake. But it was a lovely day and just very chilled out.

I was very, very lucky that two weeks after, we managed to have a little girl's weekend away. So it was just me and three close friends. We went away to a local town here called Hveragerði and we had an apartment for the weekend. We just did walks, went for coffee, went to flower shops, and just chatted over some good food and some nice bubbly and just had a really, really good time.

Changes I’ve Noticed

I definitely notice more wrinkles or maybe I'm just more aware of them. I know that I have grey hair right in the smack center of my fringe and it's poker straight compared to my usually curly hair.

On my mum's wedding day a year ago now, yep, I noticed my first grey eyebrow hair. I didn't even think that was really a thing, but of course, it's going to be.

I have also noticed that in my eyes, I need to go for another optical checkup because when I'm looking at the menu on the TV now, I have to squint my eyes to see. So yep, as they say, when you turn 40, your eyesight starts to really go.

What’s My Purpose

As a mum of a toddler who takes up quite a lot of time and energy and attention, I don't actually have a huge amount of time to work on my own things. At the moment I am working towards creating my legacy. And I know that sounds really dramatic, but for the last, I don't know, five, six years, which is a long enough time, I have really wanted or had this idea of creating a place for architecture and interior design students to go to, to feel like they're supported and that they can get access to tools and advice. And just somewhere for them to go that isn't an Architect but isn't also their lecturer.

I feel like this is something I would have really benefited from and I feel like I have the experience and I have all those stories, I've been through it myself, and that's what I want to share now, that's my legacy that I want to build. And I want to do it, not only for me, and for Mia to look up to her mommy and all of that kind of thing. But I think deep down inside because my dad passed away when I was younger and I looked up to him.

I want to create something for those students and those young designers, entrepreneurs, but I also want to give it to Mia and any siblings that she might have in the future. And so that's my legacy that I want to work towards. And I think that when you are in your late thirties, forties, you're not quite thinking about yourself anymore.

Building A Legacy

In your twenties and thirties, you're working so hard on your career and your achievements and your goals and it's all about me, me, me, or not all about me, me, me. But in your late thirties, forties, you want to think about what was it all for? And I suppose this is like the forties to fifties, maybe. I really feel the entrepreneurial thing, the spirit, and I think I got loud from India, but I want to give back and I want to create something that we can be proud of as a family. And this is it. So watch this space to see what I create and achieve.

Do you agree with this idea of thinking about your purpose and what it is you can give back in life and leave as a legacy as well?

what are your thoughts on turning 40?

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Sonia Nicolson

Architect & former University Lecturer turned Entrepreneur. I help female Entrepreneurs successfully Design & Build their Creative Businesses in Interior Design, Architecture & Urban Sketching.

You Are Your Most Valuable Asset

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Self-employed or not, you are your most valuable asset. When you work for yourself, you are your own boss - perhaps the only employee so this is especially true. You might be feeling this, that the work just doesn’t get done unless you are working on it (or in it); creating the vision, planning out the ideas, moving the needle, and hustling. For this, and many other reasons, you’ve got to take care of your physical and mental health.

This is something I thought I had down, but it turns out I didn’t and I’ve been struggling recently with valuing myself.

If you want to be happy, you have to make yourself happy. If you want to get back into shape, you have to make it happen. If you have a dream, you have to make it happen. You need to take responsibility for your life and the direction it’s going in. You owe it to yourself - the cold, hard truth is that no one else is going to do it.

Always invest in yourself, and absorb soul-fulfilling material

Seek out motivational materials and courses, podcasts, events, and so on. Read actual books, highlight them, and write out takeaway points.

Here are some to consider reading:

  • Atomic Habits

  • How to win friends and influence people

  • The slight edge

  • The almanack of naval Ravikant

  • Show Your Work

  • The 4-Hour Workweek

  • The mountain is you

  • The despite map

  • The E Myth

  • Hell Yeah or No

  • Anything You Want

  • The Millionaire Messenger

  • 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think

  • You’re a badass

Listen to podcasts

Listen to your fave podcasts as you drive, or better still, as you take a walk and reconnect with nature.

Some podcasts I’m currently listening to are:

  • The Goal Digger Podcast

  • The Brendon Show

  • Limitless Life

  • The BossBabe Podcast

Surround yourself with like-minded, positive people

Surround yourself with people who energize you and make you feel inspired, these people should not drain you of energy. People who have the same goals and understand you. They are your tribe.

Don’t be afraid to cleanse your friendship group and start to distance yourself from certain people. Protect your time, your energy, and your focus.

Take online courses - invest in yourself, your education, and your skillset

The best investment is to invest in yourself.

The best way to recession-proof yourself is to better your value; your skills and knowledge, and what you can bring to a role, a job, a project, a person. Learn that software that you have been meaning to, and go take a course in it if you know it is what your job will require soon, if not now. Brush up on a language or skill, or whatever it is.

I know that learning Icelandic will only serve to help me in my life here in Iceland, in my family, and to feel more settled living in Iceland. I could enroll in an evening class or an online course. In my business, there are always new skills I can be learning and working on; design software I need to brush up on. It’s all about prioritizing.

That being said, you are worth the investment and it will only help you grow.

Attend events

Whether for fun or as a networking opportunity. Don’t be shy. Don’t back out at the last minute. Show up. Meeting people in real life beats social media connections any day.

Show up as yourself and be genuine. Ask the questions, take the notes, introduce yourself and make real connections - listen to the people you meet and try to remember something about them. Networking is not about letting people know about you but it works both ways. Would you recognize that person the following day and remember what you first talked about?

You will meet a lot of people but, much like dating, when you meet people that fall into the interesting category, they might just become part of your ‘tribe’. Pay close attention to them as you probably have a lot to learn from them.

And if you are still chasing that number on social media - if you want followers, be someone worth following.

Talk about your work and what you do

Don’t hold it back like it’s some special secret. If you aren’t sharing it then it doesn’t exist and so it doesn’t matter.

People who are self-employed are often misunderstood by family and friends. For example, I honestly think my family thinks I’m just sitting at home waiting for their facetime calls, but that’s on me more than them. It’s up to me to explain what I do and when I do it. To share my work and its process. Easier said than done.

The way you talk about yourself and your work has a huge effect on how people feel and understand you. Don’t be shy but don’t show off. Learn where that happy medium is for you and for your audience. The same works the other way round. The way people feel and understand you will affect your work so be very aware of how you are showing up and talking about yourself and your work.

Therapy - it’s good to talk

And if you can’t talk about yourself or your work, or feel like you don’t deserve to, then you really need to address this before you can go anywhere.

We all need to express ourselves and it’s healthy to talk, to let it out. Yes, therapy can be pricey but there are online options that are more affordable and possibly fit into your lifestyle a little more. Start small, speak to your partner or a good friend first. Letting someone in, especially your partner is a healthy step in your relationship. It might feel awkward, and you might get emotional, but you will likely both benefit from it.

Yes, we all feel stressed at some point. Be aware and know that this is normal. It’s not ok but it is normal. We also feel sadness, anger, joy, happiness, and everything in between. But be aware that stress, like other emotions, manifests in us, in our bodies, and in our relationships, and you want to keep any personal issue from leaking into work.

Stepping back into the self-employed working Mum life as a family of 4; a toddler and a newborn, with very little family support around us, has been incredibly stressful. Of course, there are highs, and they are often very high, but the lows can be very low. Mix in a global pandemic, a potential recession, and all the struggles of the last few years and you have one exhausted self-employed working Mum (said with a grateful heart).

Be proactive and find a productive way to manage your stress.

And whilst I’m here, get the calm app (or similar) and give meditation a try

Move your body

We all know this but are you doing it? Look after your body so your future self can move.

I recently got an apple watch, haha, but it’s actually helping me move a little more. I obey the message that pings and suggests I stand up, and I love a good challenge so you know I’m working to complete those rings every day.

I’m not here to tell you to get a gym membership or start t train for a marathon, maybe try ‘couch to 5k’ first. Every time you workout, your body releases the natural hormone of endorphins. Endorphins make you feel good, they help with pain relief and can actually reduce stress and improve your mood, so why not get them flowing.

You only have one body so look after it. Exercise often isn’t a priority, especially when growing a business or juggling a full-time job with a side hustle. But being sedentary and working at your desk all day just isn’t good for you. Get a standing desk, take breaks and go outside - do whatever it takes to start moving your body and incorporating that into your day.

do you feel like you are your most valuable asset?

Bike Cave, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland

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Bike Cave Reykjavik Iceland

The Bike Cave here in Reykjavik is a great spot for some delicious fast food with a fun theme attracting bikers and cyclists for some food, a chat, fix their bikes if required, and even take a shower. Located in 101, opposite Reykjavik city airport, it offers amazing views across the city and towards Esja mountain.

The owners of the bike Cave were looking for a fun way to promote their venue locally and spread the word so we proposed the idea of a free postcard to offer customs as a marketing tool to promote the Bike Cave to new customers.

The building’s front elevation has a bold and memorable mural painted on it. I sketched out the building with the mural and added in some people to represent scale and customers. It worked perfectly to help identify the Bike Cave and show its vibe.

The drawing went on the front of the postcard and we kept it simple on the back, promoting the Bike Caves social media and address, and left space for people to use the postcard and write a message.

Like this idea for your business

contact us to discuss

Inni boutique Apartments, Hveragerði 810, Iceland

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Inni Boutique Apartments, drawing by Sonia Nicolson

The owners of the Inni Boutique Apartments in Hveragerði were looking to add the floor plans of their apartments to their website to help guests best understand which rooms to book.

After a visit to these gorgeous apartments, we took some pictures and got some basic drawings down before getting back into the studio to create the hand-drawn floor plans and front elevation. The interiors are a sophisticated pallet of warm tones with natural materials mixed in. The finish is high quality and we wanted to best communicate this in our drawings.

Working on the iPad in procreate, we created a floor plan for each type of apartment complete with rendered furniture and fittings and a front elevation which in turn works with for marketing and communicate the style and vibe of these boutique apartments.

The drawings are now on the client’s website here.

Fairmilehead Parish Church, Edinburgh, Scotland

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Fairmilehead Parish Church Edinburgh

The Minister of Fairmilehead Parish Church contacted us looking for an idea on how to better use the foyer space outside their church halls. This space is where parents often wait when coming to pick up their child from Scouts, Guides, etc and she felt that it could be used better to provide a more welcoming, community space.

We discussed how to achieve a more welcoming space on a very tight budget and what we felt this space could be used for:

  1. Parents waiting area

  2. Community area for coffee, chat, book swap, notice boards, etc

  3. Pastoral care, informal meetings, and congregation space outside of the church itself

We draw up this design which offers an area for waiting, meeting, and congregating, and leaves plenty of room for movement and walkways. The area would be partitioned with a natural ‘fence’ concept integrating plants which would work to soften the space. Inside this space would be flexible seating so users can create cozy seating areas, a drinks station with a place for home baking and an ‘honesty box’ to encourage people to use the area, and open shelving on the wall to encourage book swaps and display notices, leaflets and so on.

The church would be able to then display a cross, wall hanging, and other items to create the right vibe for the area. Hanging plants can be added and cushions, etc to help create a comfortable area for members of the congregation and others to feel welcome here.

Fairmilehead Parish Church Edinburgh Scotland